[pennsy]

Does anyone know of any alternative medicine approaches for depression. I'm aware of St Johns Wort. Wondering if there are other options available.

[ehcehc]

Definately! I use SAM-E. it has helped me immensly. no side effects/withdrawal.

also there is a supplement called Serenity. it is "natural" and contains lithium orotate. It is lithium but in a extremely tiny dose. The way it works supposedly is there is another active ingredient that carries the lithium through the body more effectively.
I have not tried it.

You can look both up online and find a decent amount of info.
Good Luck!
-CHE

[sach]

I am taking 200 mg of SAM e for my depression and anxiety along with Zoloft and xanax. Does anybody know if this is safe ?

[eugene]

Does SAM-E actually work?

I have tried St Johns Wort but don't like the problems with light sensitivity.

[Celestearc]

quote:Originally posted by pennsy

Does anyone know of any alternative medicine approaches for depression. I'm aware of St Johns Wort. Wondering if there are other options available.

I just started taking 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) which is a precursor to tryptophan. My first dose of 100 mgs. was yesterday, so it is too soon to tell if it does anything yet. Has anyone else had any experience with 5-HTP?

[wallsal55]

Hi, I tried St. John's wort, but it gave me headaches...so back to the lab stuff...prozac! I have tried 5HTP, but I had to take it about half-strength. Helped with mood....I heard nausea can be a side affect, and I did experience that with the full dose, that's why I did the half-strength.
Melatonin helps a lot with being refreshed in the morning and being able to "sleep in" late. Take before bedtime.
I am menopausal and wake in the night....lie there for 2 hours. That's when I take it and then sleep in. I also have seas. aff. disorder, so my sleep patterns are screwed up.
I have found Evening Primrose Oil to be calming and soothing.
Kava Kava is still available online, but they are not sure if it affects the liver. (Kava Kava is for anxiety). Be sure to tell your physician if you try Kava.
For suppressing Hot Flashes, I used SOY CARE capsules. It works!
Available at CVS, Snyder's, Kmart, other drug stores, and online at the Vitamin Shoppe, and drugstore.com Prices start at $12.99

[nbb]

Hi Eugene,

SAM-e has worked for me. If you want to read a good book about it and how to use it, check out "Stop Depression Now"

It is not an herb and is very different than St. John's Wort.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/042...e=UTF8&seller=

[Looking4Help]

I think you need to look at your lifestyle choices, eating, exercise...

I know some have said Sam E is an alternative, but how safe is it???

I do not believe it is safe to take with antidepressants, so those of you who are may want to double check on this.

I have been going through withdrawal know for 16 days, went cold turkey off Lexapro and Klonopin.

As bad as the withdrawals are, I refuse to go back on any of the ****.

I would rather eat better, exercise and get some good rest.

Good luck.

[qwert12]

I would like to get off of lexapro. What kind of withdrawals should I expect? I have been on it about 2 months. I seem to have headaches, weight gain, insomnia and terrible sweats since taking it.

Marchelle Denman

[stevewagner]

I suffered from depression for many years from my childhood on. It didn't help that I inherited this condition from my father, mother and grandfather who all suffered from depression.

But I beat it without taking harmful drugs.

There are many natural alternatives to depression but first you MUST get off the medication. Otherwise, the alternatives won't help, and might actually make things worse.

I can't list everything I know to help depression but here's just a few things.

1. The B vitamin group. This group of vitamins, especially if taken in sufficient quantity is great for the nerves, especially niacin which you can actually feel opening the capilaries in your head. Talk about a head rush.

2. You could take some amino acid supplements such as L-tryptophan. These are excellent for treating depression.

3. Other vitamins besides B include vitamin C and minerals such as magnesium.

4. Keep busy. I mean it. The best part of my cure was when I forced myself out of bed (yes, that's how bad it got, I just laid there) and made myself do something. I remember when I was 20 and terribly depressed I took up songwriting. I've been now writing music for almost 30 years. It is the best therapy.

The point is, you don't have to take medications for your depression.

Naturally before getting off medication consult with your doctor but please consider a natural life.

It works wonders. Take it from somebody who has been there.

Steve Wagner

http://www.natures-healing-remedies.com/

[mgl]

qwert12,

The likelihood and severity of withdrawal symptoms seems to be associated with the duration of treatment and the dose of medication. Possible symptoms: flu-like symptoms, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, sweating, anxiety, crying spells, insomnia, irritability.

And there's a huge thread about Lexapro withdrawal:
http://www.drugs.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7826

[raspberry60]

I find omega-3 fish oil capsules helpful, when taken in high-doses. I use it PRN when feeling particularly bad. I just took 6 1000-mg capsules now.

Please check out these links:
http://www.lipidworld.com/content/3/1/25
http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-15.htm

(I do take regular medication, also.)

[drugbuster]

I convinced a friend of mine to try EMPowerPlus from Truehope.com for her anxiety and depression and she wrote this testimonial for me. I am extremely impressed with Truehope's followup... calling her every week to see how she is doing while taking the product. ( Does your doctor do that ?)


Tim
prozackills2002@yahoo.ca

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


Almost exactly 3 years ago, I was diagnoses as having chronic anxiety
and depression. After several months of trying natural help, I was not
really getting better, at least not very quickly. Though I wasn't and still
am not, a "medication" kind of person, I felt for the sake of my children,
I should get help from a doctor. I tried three different kinds of
medications before I found relief from my symptoms in Paxil. I knew being on
medication all my life was not a plan I wanted to be on, but for the moment I felt so much better. I could actually make dinner for my family and do the
running around a mother does for her family. I felt human again.
Unfortunately the Paxil made me gain about 50 pounds, but we take the bad with the good sometimes. I was just happy to be functional.

After 2 1/2 years, I was in a different place in my life, emotionally
and physically, so I decided to try going off the medication. I wanted to
know how I would do not on the medication. I figured if I could handle it
great, but if not, I would just go back on. Fortunately for me, it wasn't too
hard. I did feel sick to my stomach for a couple of days, and a little
grumpy for a couple of days, and then I felt okay. I could still feel
the anxiety and depression surfacing sometimes, if I had too much going on,
or one of my teenagers helping me feel sooo good about my self as they do.
I thought maybe it would be a good idea to try natural help again, since
it was really the only way I would know if I could stay off the
medication. I needed to give something else, besides medication, a fighting chance.

I started on the EMPower Plus product. It took a day or two, but then
I started noticing I had more energy and my mind felt more clear. It's
kind of hard for me to remember sometimes when I'm really busy, to take it 3
times a day, and sometimes even 2 times a day, but I find that after
the second day, I notice a real difference in how I feel. In fact I've
felt a small panic attack coming on on occasion. Then I get back to taking
the product and I can really feel a difference in how I feel. I get so
much more done when I'm consistant with taking the EMPower Plus. I'm also a calmer, nicer, happier person.

I did have a problem with sleeping at night for a few weeks. I didn't
sleep well, but with the EMPower, I had enough energy during the day for
quite a while. Eventually though, I had to do something about the lack of
sleep. I took Melatonin for a couple of weeks and it took care of the sleeping
problem.

I do recommend the EMPower products. It has really made a difference
in my life. If you are concerned about being on medications and wondered
what to take instead, this would be the product.

Good luck. I hope things go well for you.

[samantha44]

I have been down the road looking for alternative treatment for depression. I was getting nowhere with my doctor. All he wanted to do was drug me up and send me on my way. You could tell he was not very interested and thought that I was the problem; and that I enjoyed the attention. SO FRUSTRATING!!!

I did a lot of searching online, offline, talking with friends, etc. I decided I wanted to try and cure my depression without medication -- I would try supplements and lifestyle changes. It makes sense; I do not see how a pill could cure depression.

Here are some SUPPLEMENTS that I have messed around with and some GENERAL INFORMATION about depression.

"Depression is classically defined as a psychiatric disorder characterized by feelings of extreme sadness or guilt, an inability to concentrate, helplessness, hopelessness, and thoughts of death that can lead to some degree of impairment—whether mild, moderate, or severe. It can appear as a result of life changes such as divorce, loss of a job, or death of a loved one.

Depression may also come about gradually for no apparent reason at all. The familiar adage, “sound body-sound mind,” is thus appropriate in reference to this disorder because depression is commonly entangled with a myriad of diverse health conditions and illnesses. The importance of uncovering potential imbalances or deficiencies in the body is therefore crucial to effective treatment of and recovery from this devastating condition. Statistically, depression is the second most common medical condition observed in general medical practice today—behind hypertension alone. An estimated 16% of adult Americans suffer from major depression at some point in their lives, and of these, only 25% receive adequate treatment."

GOOD LUCK TO YOU IN YOUR SEARCH!

[Sabina21]

I've tried 5HTP and noticed immediately that my sleep improved but that I had really weird vivid dreams, after just a small dose.
I have also had moderate improvement in mood with SJW.
Have you heard of a herb (adaptogen) called Rhodiola Rosea ? I've been taking it for a few weeks, it has improved my energy, mood and stamina. I can give you some links to more info if you like ?
Good luck ! I've been on and off all types of prescription drugs for many years, I am still hoping to find the alternative, like I say, this one looks promising for me. It is meant to have many other health benefits too.

Sabina.

[jamesperterson]

My doctor recommend Lithium Orotate supplement not expensive......

[DChealth]

Here is a video on Natural Cures for Anxiety and Depression and how they differ from drugs like Prozac: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XnvCI9ZY-qw&feature=related

Suggested natural supplements on the video are GABA, 5-HTP (5-hydroxy-tryptophan), SAMe, St. John's Wort and Theanine.

[cess06]

My friend have been on zoloft over a year now. He have been know to drink to excess on occassion and he have never had any interactions with zoloft.

Just want to remind you it can lower your sex drive.

[chastesin]

Originally Posted by qwert12

I would like to get off of lexapro. What kind of withdrawals should I expect? I have been on it about 2 months. I seem to have headaches, weight gain, insomnia and terrible sweats since taking it.

Marchelle Denman

I was on lexapro for post partum depression..about 3 months! I was tapered off with help from my doctor and suffered no withdrawals at all. Every person is different, but Lexapro is an MAOI inhibitor, not a narcotic. It's easier to taper from.

Good luck!

[chastesin]

Let me first say there are many forms of depression....chronic depression, manic depression, bi-polar disorder, acute depression etc..

Yes, the first step to fighting depression is to get with a good shrink that you like. They often do interviews and some even give your first visit free so that you can feel each other out. They will help you learn about meditation and distractions, breathing and diet (diet is actually very important..did you know that cow's milk increases anxiety?) They are the experts!

If you don't want to take a medical form and would like to stay hollistic, tell your shrink! They really are just there to help!

But it is also VERY important that if you have any feelings of suicide, even just thinking about it, that you rat yourself out to someone right away, preferably a doctor or shrink. They are both available 24/7. You can even call a crisis center helpline.

Depression is not just mind over matter in all cases. Sometimes it's actually a chemical imbalence in the brain..and that's why certain drugs are perscribed!

[Emauel]

First and foremost, one has to realize that feeling a little bad is no big deal. You have to understand that these feelings are temporary and you don’t need to feel sadder just because you are sad.

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) - a rhythmic breathing technique - may be an effective alternative to antidepressant drugs as an initial treatment for people with clinical depression. Daily 45-minute SKY sessions, six days per week are recommended. SKY technique is taught by the Art of Living Foundation.

Many herbal and homeopathic remedies have been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of depression without the unwanted side-effects.

The most commonly used as natural remedies for depression are Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort) which has been called “nature’s Prozac” and Passiflora which is one of nature's best natural tranquilizers.

Homeopathy also comes to rescue for depressed people in the form of Ignatia amara (6C), Staphisagria (6C), Nat. sulphuricum (D6) and Kali. phosphoricum (D6). These homeopathic antidepressants together relieve symptoms of melancholy, including quiet mood, weepiness, and somber demeanor and improve emotional balance during times of sorrow and grief.